Advanced Catholic Funeral Planning

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When I start a thread, I do so with the intention of helping others, as well as myself. If one person has a question or need, there must be others who could benefit by a thread, now or perhaps later via thread search.

With that in mind, please share your thoughts, ideas, experiences and resources on advanced Catholic funeral planning. Though I am not expecting to shuffle off any time soon, I do have some health risks that make advanced planning now a good idea.

Catholicism is and has been thriving in the South East for some time, and yet, there is a huge void when it comes to advanced funeral planning. Advice and information online, is woefully inadequate. Questions and concerns that come to mind are:

-Do most cemeteries have Catholic sections? [areas that are consecrated, or is this done by plot now days?]
-Are there special preparations for the body as there are for the Jews?
-How much assistance do individual Churches provide outside of pastoral care?
-Is there any type of Catholic preferred hospice care?
-I want Masses said for me beyond just the funeral Mass, how can I have this done if my family is not Catholic?
:heaven:

There are some books on Amazon that I am sure are helpful, but which one should I buy? Most people are not going to pay money for book after book until they find one that answers all their questions, and there are few free sources of information that I could find. I may champion this project myself, starting with information I gather here from you.

Consider this excerpt I found on Amazon:

The planning of a Catholic funeral can be one of the most challenging things we will ever do; whether it is the death of a spouse, grandparent, sibling or parent. The decisions that must be made between family, the funeral home, the parish and the cemetery, all within a few days can be overwhelming. These decisions are compounded by the sadness and grief that weigh upon the family. For these reasons, this book, Planning a Catholic Funeral, by Father Kenneth Koehler, is a tremendous gift to the Christian community. He clearly leads the funeral planner through the planning process and offers not only real practical guidelines, but makes this time of planning easier and even prayerful.

https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-Catholic-Funeral-Updated-Expanded-ebook/dp/B00KFRVNRM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1490973229&sr=8-3&keywords=catholic+funeral+book

Taken from: Preparing a Catholic Funeral: Third Edition, Updated and Expanded Kindle Edition
by Kenneth Koehler

As you can see there is quite a bit more to consider for us than meets they eye. Please share your suggestions, experience, thoughts, and resources for the benefit of others.
Thank you so much!
 
This is a great topic. In my signature line you will find a link to a non-profit which I formed to help people with some of the questions you have. This was built out of a need I saw in 10 years as a hospice Chaplain.

The short version is speak to your priest about which local cemeteries and funeral homes are the better ones. He will be able to discuss any financial assistance available.

No special preparation as far as I know.

There are considerations for Catholics as far as End of Life care, mainly dealing with artificial nutrition and hydration. I recommend getting anointed at some point as your health declines, but not waiting until the dying process begins.

There are other considerations as far as timeline, making the most of your finances, preparing your family, etc.

If you contact me by private message I would be happy to give you some specifics for your situation.
 
My church offered a funeral planning service, through the Associated Catholic cemeteries of Seattle. We purchased a Pre-Need plan, which includes a burial spot, an urn (one for each), and other services. The Catholic cemetery also has a mass for the people interred there every year, I believe, which is great.
You might check with your diocese and see if anything is offered there.
It’s comforting to think we’ll be in a Catholic cemetery while we wait for Christ’s return.

.
 
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